| Snowboarding is a boardsport that involves | | | | The growing popularity of the sport is reflected by |
| descending a snow-covered slope on a snowboard | | | | the history of snowboarding as an official sport: In |
| that is attached to one's feet. It is similar to skiing, | | | | 1985 the first World Cup was held in |
| but inspired by surfing and skateboarding. The sport | | | | Zürs, Austria. Due to |
| was developed in the United States in the 1960s and | | | | the need for universal contest regulations, the ISA |
| 1970s and became a Winter Olympic Sport in 1998. | | | | (International Snowboard Association) was founded in |
| The history of the snowboard starts with pioneers | | | | 1994. Later, the ISF (International Snowboard |
| like Josh Boychuk (inventor of the Snurfer), Dimitrije | | | | Federation) originated primarily due to dissatisfaction |
| Milovich (Winterstick Snowboards), Bob Webber | | | | with the new ISA rules. Despite this rivalry, it was |
| (Yellow Banana), Jake Burton Carpenter, Brandon | | | | their establishment which finally convinces the IOC to |
| Bridwell, Tom Sims (Sims Snowboards), Mike Olson | | | | declare snowboarding a new Olympic discipline in 1995. |
| (Gnu Snowboards), Donavin Carlberg, Chuck Barfoot | | | | Today, high-profile events like the Olympics, Winter |
| (Barfoot Snowboards), Chris Sanders (Avalanche | | | | X-Games, the US Open, and other events are |
| Snowboards), Steve Derrah (Flite Snowboards) | | | | broadcast to a worldwide audience. |
| developing prototypes mainly inspired by surfboards | | | | Snowboard instruction from certified snowboard |
| in the 1970s. This process included different stages | | | | instructors is available at most ski resorts. |
| and individual ideas and resulted in several patents for | | | | Professional instruction is a good way to learn proper |
| snowboard-like constructions. One of the most | | | | technique, safety policies, mountain etiquette and |
| notable however is Bob's patent from 1972, which he | | | | resort rules. Beginning snowboarders, whether young |
| sold in 1990 to Jake Burton Carpenter, founder and | | | | or old, should consider taking a series of lessons. |
| owner of Burton Snowboards, one of today's largest | | | | Lessons are not only the fastest way to learn, but |
| manufacturers of snowboard-specific products. | | | | they also significantly reduce the risk of injury and |
| Dimitrije Milovich, an east coast surfer, had the idea | | | | build confidence in sharing the mountain with other |
| of sliding on cafeteria trays upstate New York. From | | | | members of the snowboarding/ski community. |
| this he started developing his snowboards designs | | | | In the United States professional snowboard |
| and in 1972 he started a company called the | | | | instructors are certified by the American Association |
| Winterstick. By 1975 The Winterstick was getting | | | | of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). AASI maintains |
| mentioned in Newsweek magazine. The winterstick | | | | and develops cirricula and professional development |
| was based on the design and feel of a surfboard but | | | | programs for instructors including exams for three |
| worked the same way as skis. Companies like | | | | certification levels. |
| Winterstick (Utah) and Flite Snowboards (Newport, | | | | Typically, beginner snowboard lessons focus on very |
| RI) began pressing ski-like, closed-molded boards | | | | basic, common snowboarding skills. The first lesson |
| from small garages. This was at least 4 years before | | | | often begins with basic safety policies, stretching, and |
| other snowboard companies followed suit. Before | | | | learning to fall, then progresses to snowboarding with |
| that time all snowboards had been built like large 7-ply | | | | one foot on the board (particularly skating, climbing |
| maple skateboards. By switching to closed-molded | | | | and J-turns). Learning to snowboard with one foot |
| boards, Flite introduced the "modern" snowboard, | | | | strapped into the board is a particularly useful skill |
| providing strength, lightness, and durability. | | | | because it is necessary to disembark from the lift |
| During the early years of the sport, snowboards and | | | | successfully. Then students learn how to turn and |
| snowboarders were not widely respected by the ski | | | | stop with both feet in. Other important beginner skills |
| industry and culture. Snowboarding was seen as a | | | | to learn are the falling leaf technique, side-slipping, and |
| fad. Snowboarders were referred to as | | | | lift procedures. More advanced techniques that are |
| knuckle-draggers. In reaction, Transworld | | | | taught in later lessons are linking turns, edge control, |
| Snowboarding created a popular t-shirt called | | | | weight distribution, edge pressure, and eventually |
| "Answers," which included the answers to many | | | | carving. As students progress in ability they can seek |
| questions posed by skiers, including: "Yes I can stop." | | | | out specialized instruction in areas such as riding |
| Many resorts did not initially allow snowboards and | | | | steeper slopes and through a wider variety of snow |
| those which did insisted on the use of leashes and | | | | conditions, terrain park skills (jumps, rails, and pipes), |
| were known to insist that riders prove their ability | | | | mogul technique, off-piste riding, powder riding, and |
| before being allowed on the hill. | | | | racing. |